Tri-breed

We aim is to generate and optimize new genetic diversity in Triticale breeding germplasm. Triticale, as a synthetic species, lacks natural diversity that could be used for its improvement. For that reason we decided to support Triticale breeders with synthesis and introgression of parental (i.e. wheat and rye) diversity, that was never used before, as well as generate artificial diversity through induced genome wide and targeted mutagenesis. Modern cultivated Triticale combines the genomes of rye and durum wheat. We intend to assess world collections of these species with our custom genotyping platform. Using the same platform to test existing Triticale varieties will allow us to determine what diversity it actually seeks and introgress it in a directed manner. Very extensive source of desirable traits for Triticale improvement is modern bread wheat, exploiting of which also lies within the scope project. Genome wide mutagenesis is very successfully used in crop improvement for many decades. Yet, it has never been used in Triticale on a large scale. We intend to use both chemical and physical factors to induce possibly wide variety of genetic changes in our species of interest. Besides classical, random mutagenesis, a new and highly target specific approach will be applied. New Breeding Techniques (NBTs), in the form of CRISPR/Cas nucleases, will allow us to modify genes correlated with key Triticale traits. Moreover, complementary to regular, transformation-assisted CRISPR use, we intend to employ transgene- and DNA-free, wider accepted method based on active RNA/protein complexes.